Staff Profile

Career Summary

Biography

A/Prof Lucas has lead a team of researchers in the development of a novel process for the treatment of contaminated soils and polluted sediments. Based on their fundamental and applied research, Lucas and his team have designed, developed and commercialised a Thermal Desorption Treatment Process, capable of treating 30 Tonnes/hour of soils polluted with organic wastes such as tars, oils, pesticides and other environmentally hazardous chemicals. The development (over 12 years) has gone through the various phases of fundamental research, design and analysis, pilot plant trials, prototype fabrication and development to commercial ready process. The work has lead to a University Spin-Off company (Innova Soil Technology Limited) which is in the advanced` phase of commercialisation, with an Australian Stock Exchange listing planned for 2007. Highlights of the development include: AusIndustry R&D START Funding - Technology Demonstration (Lucas, 2001, $1,093,000), Recipient of Engineers Australia NATIONAL Award for Environmental Engineering Excellence (2003), US/AUS/CAN Patents granted 2006, Europe and others pending; in excess of $5 million private equity raised for the Start-Up, International interest in licensing of the technology. In addition to the contributions made to the field of advanced thermal desorption technology, Lucas has established a track record of research excellence in thermal process engineering, with particularly interests in waste processing/utilisation, coal utilisation (ignition and devolatilisation phenomena) and direct coal-iron ore reduction. In recognition of the quality and significance of his research, A/Prof Lucas received various prestigious awards;

Fields of Research

Awards

Distinction.

2003

National Engineering Excellence AwardsInstitution of Engineers (Australia)Engineers Australia National Award for Environmental Engineering Excellence (2003) for the project The Development of an Innovative Soil Remediation System

2003

Hunter Awards for Engineering ExcellenceInstitution of Engineers (Australia)Engineers Australia (Hunter Region) Award for Engineering Excellence Innovation Award and Overall Winner (2003) for the project The Development of an Innovative Soil Remediation System